Advantages of Amazon and eBay

"(Amazon) makes it easier and more beneficial for small book collectors who obviously have either rare or out-of-print books to do business. it's worth it for them to give Amazon a little piece of that business in order to be in a very high-profile space," he says.

Mick McClain has been selling music on the Internet for 10 years. He sells everything from rare and out-of-print compact discs to new releases and used albums.

McClain uses eBay and Amazon. com to market his products. He also operates a Web site where potential customers can peruse his collection.

The San Diego resident says his startup costs were minimal. He had to spend to buy a "little bit better computer" and to build up his inventory, 90 percent of which comes from brick-and-mortar stores.

For newcomers to e-commerce, McClain recommends sticking to something you know.

"Your mind has to be a database," he says. "That's why I have never gotten into anything other than music because I would get eaten alive by the people who were the authorities on (other products)."